Historic Newspapers: Pre-Civil War

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  • Theatrical ad includes Edgar Allan Poe's father...
    Item #725290
    BOSTON GAZETTE, Feb. 23, 1807 

    * Edgar Allan Poe's father theater ad

    A curious literary item here as the top of page 3 has an advertisement for the "Boston Theatre" for the performance of: "OTHELLO", a theatrical performance, with the character "Montano" performed by  "Mr. Poe" and more. (see image) He was the father of Edgar... Read full description  
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  • Preparing for the outbreak of the Civil War...
    Item #725234
    THE WORLD, New York City, March 28, 1861 

    * Start of the Civil War close (Fort Sumter)
    * Tensions at a boiling point in the South
    * Southern slavery and the Confederacy
    * History about to be made


    From just days before the outbreak of the Civil War, this issue has some reports on the impending conflict.
    The top of page 4 has a one... Read full description  
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  • Baseball reports from before the Civil War...
    Item #724659
    PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Oct. 3, 1857  A rather famous sporting newspaper, with a sporting-themed masthead, calling itself: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
    Page 5 has nearly a full column taken up with: "Base Ball" which has detailed reports of various baseball... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #364 - released for March, 2026.

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  • Greeley's letter on the capabilities of African-Americans... Andersonville Prison Trial...
    Item #724618
    NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, August 26, 1865

    * Horace Greeley letter - his opinion of African Americans
    * Andersonville prison trial... Henry Wirz

    The most historically significant content is the intriguing letter on page 4: "A Letter To the Hon. A. O. P. Nicholson", signed in type: H. G., for Horace... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #364 - released for March, 2026.

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  • A political newspaper... The Blair House...
    Item #724603
    EXTRA GLOBE, Washington, May 3, 1838  There would appear to have been three titles with this name as Miles ("The People's Voice") notes a campaign newspaper from 1832 and another from 1836. This is the one founded in 1834. In its first issue it noted: "The Extra Globe, which we publish today, is the beginning of the... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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  • Much on the Gold Rush in California...
    Item #724593
    DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, Nov. 14, 1849  Page 3 has "Correspondence from California" which has a letter which includes: "...The news here is most flattering. Gold is abundant! Labor is worth seven to thirty dollars a day..." with much more on how high the prices are, & continuing with: ... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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  • Frederick Douglass writes on the John Brown situation...
    Item #724592
    THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 19, 1859  The front page has: "Letter From Fred. Douglass" which provides his perspective on the John Brown insurrection at Harper's Ferry. Related to the raid are close to two columns of text with heads: "The Slavery Issue" "The Remains of Cook, the Insurgent" "The Attempt of Cook & Coppic to... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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  • Official report that the Louisiana Purchase treaty has been concluded...
    Item #724426
    BOSTON GAZETTE, July 25, 1803 

    * The Louisiana Purchase Treaty

    Page 2 has: "By the President of the United States...A PROCLAMATION" calling for a special session of Congress, signed in type: Th. Jefferson.
    This is followed by a very historic report headed: "Louisiana - Official" which... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #364 - released for March, 2026.

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  • Rare & lengthy account of Joseph Smith running for President...
    Item #724423
    NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, June 8, 1844 

    * Joseph Smith running for U.S. president
    * Mormons - Mormonism - Latter-Day Saints


    It is not known by many today that Joseph Smith, leader of the Latter-Day Saints, ran for president of the United States in 1844.
    After several years of harassment and persecution... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #364 - released for March, 2026.

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  • On Joseph Smith and his failed 1844 presidential campaign...
    Item #724422
    NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, June 22, 1844 

    * Mormons leader Joseph Smith
    * Election campaign for president
    * 1st presidential candidate to be killed


    It is not known by many today that Joseph Smith, leader of the Latter-Day Saints, ran for president of the United States in 1844.
    After several years of... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

    (Added to the April, 2026 Catalog (#365) after its initial release - only available on-line.)

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    $175.00
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  • On Joseph Smith and his failed presidential campaign in 1844...
    Item #724420
    NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, June 22, 1844 

    * Mormons leader Joseph Smith
    * Election campaign for president
    * 1st presidential candidate to be killed


    It is not known by many today that Joseph Smith, leader of the Latter-Day Saints, ran for president of the United States in 1844.
    After several years of... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #364 - released for March, 2026.

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    $168.00
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  • 1835 Evening Gazette original newspaper from Boston...
    Item #724134
    EVENING GAZETTE, Boston, March 14, 1835 Complete 4 page periodical from the early part of the 19th century. This issue measures 25 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches, a little light damp staining, nice condition.

    AI notes: The Boston Evening Gazette of the 1830s was a prominent and influential broadsheet newspaper that played a key role in... Read full description  
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  • The Mexican War...
    Item #724075
    DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 26, 1847  Over two columns of page 3 are taken up with: "The Administration and Congress" which deals mostly with events of the Mexican War. 
    Also on the war are: "Late From Gen. Scott's Army" & "From The City of Mexico".
    Four pages, very nice condition.

    Item from last month's catalog - #364 - released for March, 2026.

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  • See "Columbus" the elephant in 1817...
    Item #724026
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Mass., December 17, 1817

    * The Elephant 'Columbus' engraving
    * Asian Pachyderm from India on display
    * First ever male exhibited in America 


    Page 3 has a 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch notice for an exhibition of "The Elephant Columbus", which includes an engraving of an elephant. The ad states, in part... Read full description  
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  • Baron Rothschild: the first Jew to become a member of Parliament...
    Item #723429
    DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 1858 

    * Baron Rothschild of Tring
    * 1st Jewish member of House of Lords


    Page 2 has a column headed: "Baron Rothschild in Parliament". This is a very notable report, as it gives the account of the formal seating in Parliament of Rothschild as its... Read full description  
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  • Letter from the grandson announcing Thomas Jefferson's death...
    Item #723416
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, July 22, 1826  Inside contains a lengthy article headed: "Adams and Jefferson" which includes near the beginning: "Fellow citizens--I regret to be obliged...to trespass further on your patience. The lot has fallen on me to call your attention...to the pecuniary embarrassments of our... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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  • Focused on pacifism, and still with the original wrappers...
    Item #723401
    THE FRIEND OF PEACE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, July, 1828  This was a 19th-century anti-war publication authored by Noah Worcester (under the pseudonym "Philo Pacificus"), focused on promoting peace and Christian pacifism through essays.
    Complete in 32 pages, still having the original blue wrappers noting the... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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    $29.00
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  • African Lion Exhibit in 1802 Boston...
    Item #722885
    NEW YORK EVENING POST, Nov. 25, 1802

    * African lion on display advertisement (notice)

    The top of the front page has a notice for an exhibit of "The King Of Beasts" which includes details about the event and a woodcut of the African lion. Complete with all 4 pages, minor margin wear, nice condition.

    AI notes: In the early 1800s,... Read full description  
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  • The Denmark Vesey slave revolt... Would one day fuel Frederick Douglass' battle-cry for freedom...
    Item #722819
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, July 13, 1822  

    * Denmark Vesey Slaves Rebellion
    * Free black man in Charleston SC


    The back page has a report of the Denmark Vesey slave revolt, noting that six slaves were executed in Charleston.
    The report has a small heading: "South... Read full description  
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    $55.00
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  • The positions of President-Elect Lincoln...
    Item #722818
    NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Jan. 30, 1861 

    * Abraham Lincoln about to change America

    A great issue shortly before the outbreak of war with pg. 4 including: "...declare that Mr. Lincoln has listened to the Compromisers & is inclined to sacrifice the principles of the Chicago platform...We have the best authority for saying that Mr.... Read full description  
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  • An uncommon anti-slavery paper...    Case of Prigg vs. Pennsylvania...
    Item #722792
    EMANCIPATOR AND FREE AMERICAN, Boston, Oct. 13, 1842  This is one of the less common anti-slavery newspapers from the antebellum years. It was preceded by the "Free American" (1841) and the Emancipator" (1835), merging to create this title, which published from December 1841 thru March, 1844, existing for just 2... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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    $72.00
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  • Jefferson grants pardon to deserters from the Army...
    Item #722680
    NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, & DWASHINGTON ADVERITSER, D.C., Oct. 26, 1807 

    * President Thomas Jefferson proclamation
    * Pardon for military deserters - soldiers 


    Page 3 has: "A Proclamation" by the President concerning those: "...who have deserted from the army of the United States...has become sensible of... Read full description  
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  • Early Salt Lake City...   Paul Morphy the famous chess player...
    Item #722303
    HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 25, 1858 

    * Paul Morphy - American chess champion
    * Early Salt Lake City, Utah  view


    The prime print would be the great and displayable full page view of: "Salt Lake City, from the Observatory of the Council House" being one of the earlier views of Salt Lake City... Read full description  
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    $62.00
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  • Plot to kill President-elect Abe Lincoln...
    Item #722197
    NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 25, 1861 

    * Plot to assassination Abraham Lincoln

    The front page contains various one column heads which include: "The Plot Against Mr. Lincoln's Life" "Developments of a Detective Officer" "The Feeling Among the Republicans" and more (see). A portion of the report includes: ... Read full description  
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    $48.00
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  • Uncommon to find from Savannah, pre-Civil War...
    Item #722086
    THE DAILY GEORGIAN, Savannah, June 5, 1840  

    * Very rare publication 
    * Antebellum periodical 
    * 21 years prior to Civil War


    Rarely do we find antebellum newspapers from Savannah, but here is one. Various news of the day and ads, including at least one front page runaway slave ad plus an ad headed: "Cotton... Read full description  
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    $82.00
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  • Theatrical ad includes Edgar Allan Poe's mother...
    Item #721767
    BOSTON GAZETTE, May 11, 1809 

    * Edgar Allan Poe's mother theater ad

    A curious literary item here as the top of page 3 has an advertisement for the "Boston Theatre" for the performance of: "FALSE DELICACY", a theatrical performance, with a song sung by "Mrs. Poe". (see image) She was the mother... Read full description  
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    $34.00
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  • Herman Melville's Moby-Dick...  Arctic Expedition...
    Item #721500
    HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, New York, December, 1851 

    * Herman Melville's Moby-Dick
    * Early novel review - The Whale
    * First introduction to the public 


    Near the back of the issue is "Literacy Notices" which discusses "A new work by Herman Melville, entitled Moby Dick; or, the Whale, has just been... Read full description  
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    $68.00
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  • Cotton cultivation in antebellum America... The Grinnell Arctic Exploration...
    Item #721484
    HARPER'S MONTHLY, New York, March, 1854  Beginning on the ftpg. is a 14 pg. article about the "Grinnell Expedition", which has 29 small illustrations of various scenes of the region: the "Interior of a native hut", the "Inspectors' house at Lievely", "Devil's... Read full description  
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    $48.00
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  • Charles Dickens, Samuel Johnson, and prints of Albany and North Carolina...
    Item #721482
    HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, New York, March, 1857.  Simply a great issue. Included are the following: ae early (pre-book) serialized portion of "Little Dorrit", by Charles Dickens, a lengthy tribute to the famed Samuel Johnson (taking more than 10 pages), and detailed, illustrated... Read full description  
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    $65.00
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  • Image unavailable for item #721419
    Item #721419
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, March 18, 1820  Taking over 3 pages is a continued report from the  Secretary of the Treasury on the "National Currency". Also within is over a page on the: "Seizure of the Floridas" followed by: "The Slave Question". Nearly 4 pages of reports... Read full description  
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  • Magazine in the Welsh language...
    Item #721277
    SEREN GOMER, Argraffwyr, Wales, (1834)

    * Scarce Wales - Welsh periodical

    A quite uncommon magazine from Wales, totally in the Welsh language. Although commonly spoken in the 19th century, its use had diminished in the 20th century. Efforts are being made to bring it back today. Here is a rare opportunity for an issue of this 32 page periodical,... Read full description  
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    $28.00
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  • Magazine in the Welsh language...
    Item #721275
    SEREN GOMER, Carmarthen, Wales, April, 1838  A quite uncommon magazine from Wales, totally in the Welsh language. Although commonly spoken in the 19th century, its use had diminished in the 20th century. Efforts are being made to bring it back today.
    Complete in 32 pages, 5 1/4 by 8 1/4 inches, very nice condition.
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    $29.00
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  • At a reduced price... Lineage to California's first newspaper... From shortly after statehood...
    Item #721154
    DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Feb. 13, 1852

    * Very rare old West publication (early)
    * Gold rush mining - miners - 49ers era 
    * Soon after statehood - joining the Union
    * LARGE SIZED ISSUE - Measures 28 x 21 inches


    The very first title in the Golden State was the... Read full description  
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    $48.00
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  • Great detail on the trial of the Amistad...
    Item #721097
    NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Nov. 30, 1839 

    * African slaves
    * La Amistad


    Inside has a full page of very detailed coverage of the trial headed: "Slaves Per Amistad" at Hartford. A great wealth of detail. This famous slave ship and the revolt of its occupants was not only a notable legal case at the time, but in... Read full description  
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    $82.00
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  • On California's independence from Mexico...
    Item #721096
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, April 8, 1837  Page 5 has a bit: "California" concerning it declaring itself independent from Mexico, noting: "...the first article of the plan of the revolution at Monterey is that they declare themselves independent of Mexico until the re-establishment of the constitution of... Read full description  
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    $40.00
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  • One of the more uncommon anti-slavery titles...
    Item #721070
    THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, Salem, Ohio, May 11, 1850  

    * Rare Anti Slavery publication - slaves
    * Emancipation of the enslaved - abolition 
    * Over 10 years prior to the Civil War 


    The motto printed in the masthead reads: "No Union With Slaveholders", which sets the tone for the newspaper's theme. This is... Read full description  
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    $155.00
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  • One of the more uncommon anti-slavery titles...
    Item #721069
    THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, Salem, Ohio, April 27, 1850  

    * Rare Anti Slavery publication - slaves
    * Emancipation of the enslaved - abolition 
    * Over 10 years prior to the Civil War 

    The motto printed in the masthead reads: "No Union With Slaveholders", which sets the tone for the newspaper's theme. This is one of the less... Read full description  
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    $155.00
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  • Early from 1848 Florida...
    Item #720641
    THE FLORIDIAN, Tallahassee, Florida, Nov. 4, 1848 

    * Rare antebellum publication
    * 12 years prior to Civil War outbreak


    Nineteenth century newspapers from Florida are uncommon, particularly those from before the Civil War. Here is such an issue from the capital city of Florida, three years before the Civil War.
    Over half of the ftpg. has various... Read full description  
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    $97.00
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  • From Paris, France, in 1836,,,
    Item #719864
    GALIGNANI'S MESSENGER, Paris, Dec. 27, 1836  An interesting newspaper from Paris, France but printed in English, and featuring a black-inked tax stamp on the front page. Various news of advertisements. The policy/purpose of this title was to promote good feeling between England and France, and was highly regarded. It was viewed to be progressive.
    ... Read full description  
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    $32.00
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  • Wealth of fine content on the California Gold Rush...
    Item #719850
    DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 1849  Page 3 has over a full column of reports from California, mostly focused on the Gold Rush. Subheads include: "Placer Intelligence" "A Trinity River Expedition" "Successful Gold Diggings" with details; "The Mines"... Read full description  
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    $78.00
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  • The tribulations of those heading west during the Gold Rush era...
    Item #719848
    DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 8, 1849 

    * Wagon trains heading West
    * California gold rush era


    Page 3 has a terrific report headed: "From the Western Plains" which provides a sense of the romance, at least in hindsight, of the wagon trains heading west.
    But the truth was much more... Read full description  
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    $85.00
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  • Commenting on the Maryland "Jew Bill"...
    Item #719846
    THE NILES WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore,  Jan. 14, 1826 

    * Maryland Jew Bill becomes law

    Under the heading "Maryland" is a very nice, editorialized report acknowledging the very recent approval of the "Jew Bill" which allowed--for the first time--Jews to hold public office in the state of Maryland.
    The report reads... Read full description  
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    $88.00
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  • Rare and early title from Honolulu...
    Item #719823
    THE POLYNESIAN, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, Aug. 31, 1844 

    * Very rare 19th century Hawaiian publication

    One of the earliest newspapers we have offered from Hawaii, and fourteen years earlier than the few of this title we offered in recent years.
    The "first series" of this title existed for just 1 1/2 years from 1840 to... Read full description  
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    $480.00
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  • Game of baseball is '...progressing in all parts of the United States..."
    Item #719765
    PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Sept. 13, 1856  A sporting-themed masthead engraving in this: "Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage" as noted in the masthead.
    Inside has a quite early report on: "Base Ball" which begins: "This fine American game seems... Read full description  
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    $48.00
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  • Horseracing, other sports, and much more...
    Item #719248
    SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 5, 1857  

    * Pre-Civil War sporting - hunting publication

    "A Chronicle of the Turf, Agriculture, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage" which features an engraving of a horse racing scene in the masthead.
    Although this eclectic title covers all the fields noted in the masthead, horse racing... Read full description  
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    $23.00
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  • American Anti-slavery Society - Frances Watkins, William Brown, and more...
    Item #719148
    THE SEMI-WEEKLY TIMES, New York, May 15, 1857  Pages 2 and 3 have significant coverage of the 24th anniversary gathering of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Among the speakers were William Lloyd Garrison (President), Wendell Phillips, Frances Ellen Watkins (a free negro woman), William Wells Brown (a... Read full description  
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    $95.00
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  • John Paul Jones'  - Engraving of a cricket club... Capitol Cornerstone..

    John Paul Jones'

    Item #718669
    GLEASON'S PICTORIAL, Boston, Massachusetts, Aug. 2, 1851  The front page has a half-page engraving of a cricket club: "The Eleven Of New England.", which includes the names of the club members and various officials. Included is a related article.

    The inside has a half-page engraving of the "Laying Of The Corner Stone At The Capitol."... Read full description  
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  • 1874 Battle of Liberty Place... New Orleans...
    Item #718614
    THE NEW YORK HERALD, September 18 , 1874

    * Battle of Liberty Place ends
    * New Orleans LA Lousiana
    * John McEnery & William Pitt Kellogg
    * Confederate veterans


    The top of page 7 has a one column heading in bold lettering: "SURRENDER" with subheads. (see images) Text takes up almost 4 columns.
    Complete with 12 pages, nice... Read full description  
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    $37.00
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  • Abraham Lincoln wins an election in 1846...   The Mormon troubles...   The Mexican War...
    Item #718413
    NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 12, 1846

    * Early Abraham Lincoln 
    * Springfield, Illinois (Whig)
    * 7th district election victory


    Page 3 has a report from Illinois on election returns, which notes: "...7th district, Cartwright (loco.), 4829; Lincoln, (whig) 6340 (elected...".... Read full description  
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    $88.00
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  • Paul Revere as President of the Board of Health...
    Item #718297
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 5, 1800  

    * Paul Revere
    * Board of Health


    The top of page 4 has a detailed report from  the: "Health Office" which is signed in type by its President: P. Revere.  Beneath this are two reward ads for deserters, one from the brig Atalanta, and the other a deserter from... Read full description  
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    $52.00
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